Photos, videos and docs of Anne Elliott, with the keywords: "FZ40"

Northern Hawk Owl juevnile - from the archives

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 11 Mar 2019 16:08:58 +0000

No time to go out taking photos, so I dug into my archives again. I am posting the description I added under a previously posted photo taken on the same day, 28 May 2012. On a different day, I was priviledged to actually hold this youngster, when a friend, a raptor bander, came to band it. What an experience that was! I believe the last time I saw a Northern Hawk Owl was on 30 January 2017.

"From the archives! I took lots of photos of this priceless Northern Hawk Owlet and other owls last year, but still haven't really gone through my images properly. So, the occasional one from almost a year ago might still pop up now and again on my photostream. This was the first day out of the nest for this little owlet : ) I believe the last time I saw a Northern Hawk Owl was on 29 January, 2017.

We have been in a deep-freeze the last few days with windchill temperatures down to -40C. Far too cold to risk going out anywhere, including trying to take photos. The blizzard we had on Monday caused snowdrifts everywhere, and it would be all too easy to get ones car stuck in deep snow. So, into the photo archives I keep going!

This Northern Hawk Owlet, with the piercing eyes, was the cutest little thing. We were so privileged to be able to watch this family of three on a number of occasions. This particular day, 28 May 2012, was the owlet's first day out of the nest and we watched as it climbed over the rough ground and on to fallen logs and eventually clawed and flapped its way up this short, very thin tree and perched on the curved top. Some time later, Mom flew in with a Meadow Vole for the hungry youngster."

Lest We Forget

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 11 Nov 2018 17:38:07 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

How important it is for us to remember those who have served their country (not just Canada) and made the ultimate sacrifice. Unfortunately, there are thousands more on this Continent and elsewhere across the globe, who have returned from fighting, only to live their lives in the suffering and torture that continues to haunt them. These men and women, too, so often tend to be "the forgotten", though I think there is a little more awareness now. So sad, when the rest of us have so much to be thankful for, thanks to them. I remember - and I am thankful.

"Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918, as the major hostilities of World War I were formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice.

The day was specifically dedicated by King George V, on 7 November 1919, to the observance of members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I.

The red poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour an appropriate symbol for the blood spilt in the war."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembrance_Day
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_Flanders_Fields

In a comment box below, I have added a previously posted photo of my Father, wearing his Home Guard uniform.

Shoo-fly / Nicandra physalodes

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 06 Apr 2018 17:25:28 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

On 16 September 2015, I called in at the Reader Rock Garden after my volunteer shift. There seemed to be more flowers in bloom than on my previous visit.

Shoo Fly, Shoofly or Shoo-fly, Peruvian Bluebell, even Apple of Peru ... take your pick, lol. It is native to Peru, and it is known elsewhere as an introduced species and sometimes a weed. It is also kept as an ornamental plant, as at the Reader Rock Garden, where this photo was taken. This plant is a member of the Nightshade family, Solanaceae. The green or black-mottled calyces have always fascinated me. Branches of the mature Chinese lantern-style fruits can be dried and used for winter decoration.

There were also quite a few distant small birds flitting from tree to tree at one point. They were impossible to see well enough to get photos or IDs - - a little Hermit Thrush was the only bird I managed to photograph.

I also noticed a Jack Rabbit in the Garden and then, when I drove through the adjoining cemetery, it or another one was running in among the gravestones. When it saw my car coming, it froze and waited till I had moved on.

Meerkat from the archives

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 16:59:04 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

One of the little Meerkats photographed at the Calgary Zoo on 30 September 2011. I'm taking so few new photos at the moment, so I'm having to dig deep into my archives.

"The meerkat or suricate, Suricata suricatta, is a small mammal belonging to the mongoose family. Meerkats live in all parts of the Kalahari Desert in Botswana, in much of the Namib Desert in Namibia and southwestern Angola, and in South Africa. A group of meerkats is called a "mob", "gang" or "clan". A meerkat clan often contains about 20 meerkats, but some super-families have 50 or more members. Meerkats have an average life span of 12–14 years."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meerkat

Arethusa Cirque trail, Kananaskis

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:30:50 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Unearthed from my archives, this photo was taken on 30 July 2011, on a hike in the mountains. This photo shows just one of the many spectacular views on the Arethusa Cirque trail in Kananaskis, Alberta. The little bit of information that I had been able to find out about this trail said that it was easy with not all that much elevation (122'). Well, we were standing at 8,000' by the time we had scaled the very steep mountain side. Most of the climb was steeply upwards which meant that if I wanted to take flower photos, it would mean trying to balance on a steep slope with an almighty drop below (so I took far fewer photos than I normally would, ha). I am not good at heights, so did my best to avoid looking "down" during the whole climb up. Also not good at any trail that goes upwards instead of along the flat. Lol, I never thought I'd reach the top, but amazingly I did - and, oh, what magnificent views!!! This hike is just north of the Ptarmigan Cirque hike and parts of it were quite similar, except that Arethusa Cirque trail is up, up, up the whole way. Still, the views were simply breath-taking, including this massive, twisted, folded rock face : )

Weather was perfect, no Grizzly Bears appeared, and the company was great. Only six of us went, so it was a nice, small group. Can't remember offhand, but I know we saw one new plant - a tiny blue Gentian species with the most exquisite, tiny blue flower. A brutal hike that I have never repeated and I'm never likely to repeat, lol!

What a way to spend the day! Thanks so much, David, for sharing this new place with us and thanks, too, for the welcome treat of coffee at Highwood House. Just what was needed : )

Chocolate chip lichen / Solorina crocea

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 06 Mar 2017 19:30:50 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This is NOT my main photo today! Just wanted to add it to an album.

This photo from my archives was taken on 7 August 2011, when I went with friends to Kananaskis. In the morning, we walked through the forest, following the shore line as far as the Sarrail Falls, and after lunch, we hiked the Mt. Everest trail. I will add the information given under one of his photos taken this hike, by late friend, Doug Waylett, who was very knowledgeable about lichens. My photo was taken when the lichen was very dry.

"Solorina crocea 'Orange Chocolate Chip Lichen', An unmistakable foliose lichen, especially when wet, growing on the soil along a trail, I had just sprayed this specimen with water to bring out the green color. When dry it is quite a drab brownish gray. Upper Kananaskis Lake trail, Peter Lougheed Provincial Park, Alberta, 7334August 07, 2011."

Invasive Goat's-beard and Baby's breath

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 18:30:04 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Some of you will be familiar with this rather beautiful, larger than a Dandelion, seedhead. Unfortunately, despite its beauty, it is a highly invasive species and widespread. This one, along with many others, was growing at the Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area in Calgary, on 27 July 2011. The background is of another invasive weed, Baby's Breath. It is quite likely that someone threw an old pot of these tiny, white flowers over the fence from the cemetery next door, and they have spread and keep spreading.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragopogon_dubius

The Erlton/Roxboro Natural Area is located on the east side of the Elbow River above the southwest community of Roxborough. It was completed in 1996. This is one of the richest areas in Calgary for wildlowers, but unfortunately, many non-native plants and shrubs have taken over much of the area - such as Caragana, Goat's-beard, Baby's Breath and Yellow Clematis.

Crested Wheatgrass / Agropyron cristatum

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 18:30:04 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Took this photo at Bridlewood Wetlands on 21 July 2011, at the beginning of a drive westwards. Crested Wheatgrass is a non-native grass that is unfortunately replacing many species of native grass.

'Introduced from Eurasia. Abundant. Each plant has thousands of fibrous roots extending to depths of 4m, totalling in excess of 5km, depriving native plants of moisture and ultimately nutrients; a serious threat to our native biodiversity. Stems, densely tufted, 3-4dm tall. Leaves, blades, 2-4mm wide. Flowers, spike oblong-oval; arranged in flattened comb-like cluster, 4-7cm long, 1.5-2.5cm broad; ......... Habitat: roadsides, disturbed areas." From talkaboutwildlife.ca.

"In Alberta, Crested wheatgrass is an extremely competitive grass species that has the ability to out compete many of our native grass species, and as such is threatening the biodiversity of our prairie ecosystem."

cdn.harmonyapp.com/assets/50ad0499dabe9d4a85006a0c/OGCWhe...

Growing on a log

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 15:13:36 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This was one of the treasures of the forest that was found when a few of us spent the day botanizing at Rod Handfield's property, on 17 August 2012. We always reckon that Rod's property is one of the best areas for finding a good variety of fungi. My knowledge of fungi ID is very limited, so I tend to call anything that looks like this, Turkey tails.

Though the number of fungi was far less than some previous years, we still managed to find quite a few different species, making the day very worthwhile. If I remember correctly, 2010 was the last really good year for fungi. Apparently, this year is turning out to be really good, too, now that we have had endless rain and thunderstorms. I will have to be very patient though, as I won't have a car that I can drive further than down the road to get groceries, for the next while, until I have chosen and bought a new vehicle. A worn-out muffler lets everyone know that I'm coming, ha. Except for this weekend, when wonderfully a friend is picking me up to go on a day of mushroom hunting with other friends in the forest at Rod Handfield's property. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is for no sun and an 80% chance of a thunderstorm, which sadly means no decent photos of mushrooms and probably a shortened hike. Actually, they have just (11:00 am on 5 August 2016) issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for that area. Later, early afternoon - the same weather alert is now for the Calgary region, too.

Great Gray Owl from 2012

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Fri, 15 Apr 2016 17:36:37 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This is a Great Gray Owl, seen NW of Calgary, way back on 25 May 2012. Made a great sighting on my birthday! Love it when these huge owls land on a variety of perches - some photogenic, others not. This was more or less a black silhouette in my original photo, but some brightening (perhaps not quite enough) brought out - an owl with feathers : )

In the link to Wikipedia below, there is an interesting diagram showing just how much of this bulk is skeleton and how much is thick plumage.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl

"Although the Great Gray Owl is the tallest American owl with the largest wingspan, it is just a ball of feathers. It preys on small mammals and has relatively small feet. Both the Great Horned and Snowy owls weigh half again as much, and have larger feet and talons. The oldest recorded Great Gray Owl was at least 18 years, 9 months old and lived in Alberta." From AllABoutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory

Great Gray Owlet from June 2012

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:42:30 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

A photo from my archives and one of many photos of various Great Gray Owls and owlets that I have never uploaded.

This youngster was one of four Great Gray Owlets, and the photo was taken on 4 June 2012, the day before three of the siblings were banded by a group of five licenced Owl Banders. They had invited a very small group of us to join them. Friends had got permission for the three of us to go on to private property to see this owl family on 4th June. Thank goodness for powerful zoom!

"Although the Great Gray Owl is the tallest American owl with the largest wingspan, it is just a ball of feathers. It preys on small mammals and has relatively small feet. Both the Great Horned and Snowy owls weigh half again as much, and have larger feet and talons. The oldest recorded Great Gray Owl was at least 18 years, 9 months old and lived in Alberta." From AllABoutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Gray_Owl/lifehistory

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Grey_Owl

Window box at Reader Rock Garden

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 31 Mar 2016 12:38:13 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This is a photo from my archives, taken on 10 September 2013, at the Reader Rock Garden.

Beware!

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Wed, 16 Dec 2015 16:07:15 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Last night, when choosing three photos to post this morning, I happened to come across this old shot from my archives. It was taken at the Calgary Zoo on 2 May 2011, when a pair of Snowy Owls was in a small enclosure near the Tigers. SInce then, the only Snowies at the Zoo are over in the Aviary. It has been too long to remember for sure, but I think this was most likely the female rather than a juvenile bird.

With so many people now going outside the city to look for, and photograph, these amazing birds of prey that have moved south in search of food, I thought this photo might be a good reminder of yet another reason to keep ones distance, lol. Those talons mean business! I sometimes think I must be the only person who isn't out to get photos of these owls in flight! Please don't deliberately flush them - they are already tired and stressed enough. Of course, they sometimes fly simply because they want to, in their search for yet another rodent.

Actually, I was lucky enough to see two very, very distant Snowy Owls yesterday, when I went with a group of 7 friends to take part in the first annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count of the season. This is one of my favourite counts, mainly because our small group covers one of my favourite areas, SE of the city.

Peking Cotoneaster / Cotoneaster acutifolia

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 07 Nov 2015 13:26:29 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This woody shrub was introduced from Asia and can be found everywhere, either individually or planted as a hedge. It readily escapes from gardens and can now be found in many of our natural areas, unfortunately. Beautiful to look at, but it is preventing our native plants from growing. This shrub should not be being sold at Garden Centres. Photographed in north Weaselhead on 15 June 2011, during a botany walk. I have added a previously posted photo of Cotoneaster in the fall, with berries, in a comment box below.

search.millcreeknursery.ca/11050005/Plant/119/Hedge_Coton...

Up till about 10 days ago, I had a short length of Cotoneaster hedge in my back yard. It had grown out of control to a few feet above the height of my fence and, unfortunately, I just wasn't able to cut it myself. It has now been not only cut right down but completely removed, for which I am so thankful.

Stinkhorns from 2012

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Mon, 02 Nov 2015 14:50:14 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Last night, I had just started looking for a colourful image to upload today (2 November 2015) with two dull, brown shots, when I came across a folder of these Stinkhorns. Hadn't uploaded this one, so thought I'd use it. Oh, boy, we need a much brighter, more colourful image than this one this morning, because it's SNOWING! And it's settling, unfortunately. We really can't complain, though, as we have just enjoyed a wonderful fall.

For years, I had wished I could see some kind of Stinkhorn fungus, partly because they make such interesting images : ) On 24 June 2012, friend Phil e-mailed to say that there were all sorts of "things" (he sent a photo) growing locally, where we had seen other fungi growing previously. After a bit of a search that evening, I found these small (this is a telemacro image and they are maybe an inch and a half to 3" in height), pink fungi that I thought must be some species of Stinkhorn. Sure enough, I searched on Google and quickly found them. Wasn't quite sure exactly which species this is, as there were photos of several similar ones. The greeny-brown slime contains the spores.

Thanks to kuteram for the ID: Mutinus elegans! I really appreciated your taking the time to do this!

"The young fruiting bodies are initially white and spherical or egg-shaped, partially submerged in the ground, with dimensions of 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) by 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in). As the fruit body matures, the egg ruptures and the spongy spore-bearing stalk emerges; fully grown, it may be from 1 to 15 cm (0.4 to 5.9 in) long and 1.5 to 2 cm (0.6 to 0.8 in) thick. The stalk is hollow and strongly wrinkled overall; its shape is cylindrical below, but it gradually tapers to a narrow apex with a small opening at the tip. The upper half of the stalk is bright red to reddish orange, and the color gradually loses intensity transforming into pinkish white below. The stalk may be straight, or slightly curved. A gelatinous greenish-brown gleba covers the upper third of the stalk in newly emerged specimens. The remains of the "egg" forms a volva around the base of the stalk .... Mutinus elegans is saprobic—deriving nutrients by breaking down dead or dying organic matter. It is commonly found in gardens and farm areas enriched with manure, near well-decayed stumps and logs, and in wood chips." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutinus_elegans

Before and after the petals fall

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 15:26:40 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This Poppy was photographed at the Reader Rock Garden in Calgary, on 8 August 2012. Not quite sure why I posted a photo from so long ago, when I have been taking too many recent photos to cope with, ha. Maybe the colour just caught my eye.

Interesting fact:

"Canada issued special quarters (25-cent coins) with a red poppy on the reverse in 2004, 2008 and 2010. The 2004 Canadian "poppy" quarter was the world's first colored circulation coin." From WIkipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poppy

Hmm, I'm wondering if this Poppy photo is showing up as my main photo for today, i.e. the very last photo seen, or as my intended second photo (of three), with the Franklin's Gulls as my main and last posted image. If you understand what I mean : ) On at least two days recently, Flickr seems to have changed the order in which I post my photos, which I find annoying. Or I should say, a couple of friends have said that my intended main photo is not showing up as the main one.

Slime Mold

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Tue, 10 Mar 2015 12:26:55 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Slime Molds are so difficult to see, often no more than a very small, coloured smear on a log, so I was very happy when I actually found this one when I spent a bit of time at Brown-Lowery Provincial Park, SW of Calgary, on 4 August 2012. Needless to say, a macro shot. There were disappointingly few fungi that I found in the forest that day, compared to two and three years ago.

The colours of summer

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sat, 28 Feb 2015 16:52:07 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

This photo of beautiful summer Lupines growing at the Reader Rock Garden, was taken on 4 July 2012.

"Lupinus, commonly known as lupin or lupine (North America), is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family, Fabaceae. The genus includes over 200 species, with centers of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centers occur in North Africa and the Mediterranean.

Seeds of various species of lupins have been used as a food for over 3000 years around the Mediterrranean (Gladstones, 1970) and for as much as 6000 years in the Andean highlands (Uauy et al., 1995), but never have they been accorded the same status as soybeans or dry peas and other pulse crops." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lupinus

Owl butterfly

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Thu, 18 Sep 2014 13:33:10 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

These are large, rather fancy butterflies, and I like its striped eyes - but not so much its furry body. Taken on 2 May 2011 in the ENMAX Conservatory at the Calgary Zoo. The tropical butterfly season at the Zoo must be just about over by now. The staff and volunteers do such a superb job of putting on a great display of tropical plants and butterflies for us over the summer. I know that I, for one, appreciate this so much - a wonderful chance to see and photograph things I would otherwise never see. Unfortunately, I haven't made it over there this year!

"Butterflies in the genus Caligo are commonly called owl butterflies, after their huge eyespots, which resemble owls' eyes. Owl butterflies are found in the rainforests and secondary forests of Mexico, Central, and South America.

Owl butterflies are very large, 65–200 mm (2.6–7.9 in), and fly only a few metres at a time, so avian predators have little difficulty in following them to their settling place. However, the butterflies preferentially fly in dusk, when few avian predators are around. The Latin name may possibly refer to their active periods. Caligo means darkness." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl_butterfly

Monarch beauty

nobody@ipernity.com (Anne Elliott) — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 12:26:55 +0000

Anne Elliott has posted:

Last night, I typed all my descriptions for today in Microsoft Office, as I have a very early start to the day. This morning, I get the message that "Something went wrong" and to try repairing it from Programs and Features in the Control Panel. Tried that and it didn't work, so I may have to finish off my descriptions this evening if I run out of time this morning. Strange that it worked perfectly just a few hours ago.

This Monarch butterfly image is from my archives, taken on 2 May 2011. I needed a change of subject on my photostream. Taken in the Butterfly room at the Calgary Zoo. We don't normally get Monarch butterflies in the wild this far north, though in 2012, they happened to make their way further north than usual, as far as Calgary and even further north. What a treat that was. Previously posted photo of a Monarch caterpillar on Milkweed in a comment box below.

"The Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a milkweed butterfly (subfamily Danainae), in the family Nymphalidae. It is perhaps the best known of all North American butterflies. Since the 19th century, it has been found in New Zealand, and in Australia since 1871 where it is called the Wanderer. In Europe, it is resident in the Canary Islands, the Azores, and Madeira, and is found as an occasional migrant in Western Europe. Its wings feature an easily recognizable orange and black pattern, with a wingspan of 8.9–10.2 cms (3½–4 in). (The Viceroy butterfly has a similar size, color, and pattern, but can be distinguished by an extra black stripe across the hind wing.) Female Monarchs have darker veins on their wings, and the males have a spot called the "androconium" in the center of each hind wing[7] from which pheromones are released. Males are also slightly larger. The Monarch is famous for its southward migration and northward return in summer in the Americas which spans the life of three to four generations of the butterfly."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monarch_(butterfly)